I watched Oprah again today. That's two days running, I'm feeling like a bit of a junkie.

But the episode was really interesting. They discussed the four blue zones (the mountainous Barbagia region of Sardinia, an island off the coast of Italy; the Japanese island of Okinawa; a community of Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda, Calif., about 60 miles east of Los Angeles; and the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica, in Central America)in the world where people live healthier and longer than anywhere else. Dr Oz, Oprah and some well preserved man with an artificial tan and blindingly white teeth discussed the belief system of each area for living longer.

I am happy to report that drinking wine was featured prominently - up to two glasses per day. I'm having my second now.

Other factors include:

Exercise.

Eating well - many adopting a vegan or organic diet.

Having a sense of purpose - this was a priority with all four areas.

Laughing with your friends. Surround yourself with peers so that you have a support system in place. Though one 94 year old surgeon suggested that it was better to surround yourself with younger people because they were the ones who stimulated you (he meant mentally for you naughty readers).

To read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20080519/ap_tr_ge/travel_by_the_book_blue_zones

or visit Oprah:
http://www.oprah.com/dated/oprahshow/oprahshow_20081009_bluezones